HYScale

About HYScale

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and
Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA)

LCA is a methodology for assessing environmental impacts of different processes, technologies, goods and other things in their life cycle. It consists of assessing the environmental impacts from the beginning of the raw material extraction to the user phase or even to the end-of-life phase, which is key for circular economy.

Through the impact categories, experts can conduct analyses of the environmental impacts for one product or technology during its whole life cycle.  As part of HYScale, a team of experts from the University of Ljubljana are leading this analysis. 

Since Fuel Cell and Hydrogen (FCH) technologies are still an emerging sector, many essential materials that make up the main system components are still unavailable in generic databases for LCA. To achieve the highest accuracy in LCA, we must first analyse the production of specific materials at the chemical level before modelling their production and use in manufacturing of system components within FCH technology.

In HYScale, we are developing a comprehensive life cycle inventory (LCI) for anion exchange membrane water electrolyser (AEMWE), with special attention to the new components that are currently unavailable to the LCA research community. This is a key step in assessing the environmental and economic impact of a system. It involves collecting detailed data on all materials and energy used throughout the system’s lifecycle within the boundaries of confidentiality, from manufacturing and transport to operation, maintenance, and dismantling.

This information helps researchers understand the overall resource use associated with the technology.  In addition to tracking material and energy flows, the LCI will also integrate cost data, which allow for assessing the economic impact of different life-cycle stages, including manufacturing, transport, and operation, as well as the economic potential after the end-of-life phase.

Once a complete LCI is acquired, the environmental impacts of this AEMWE will be assessed using the standardised LCA methodology. A techno-economic analysis (TEA) will also be conducted to evaluate the costs and feasibility of scaling the system to 50–1,000 MW. This includes a life cycle costing assessment to estimate capital (CAPEX) and operating costs (OPEX) and determine the levelised cost of hydrogen (LCOH), factoring in subsidies, electricity prices, and operating conditions. 

Ultimately, this will demonstrate if HYScale technology, when deployed at scale, has the potential to meet cost and performance KPIs.

The results will be shared with the community and will highlight HYScale’s innovative nature with its potential economic viability and environmental benefits, supporting its integration into the future hydrogen production chain. 

In summary, HYScale’s TEA and LCA will provide a tool kit to identify the most suitable industrial or large-scale applications for AEMWE in the 50-1,000 MW range. 

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